Clean energy technology is now disruptive to existing energy markets. The price of cleantech is plunging, and will continue to plunge, following a pattern familiar to those working with digital tech. The more scale they achieve, the cheaper they'll become, as the industry plows funds back into explicit R&D and learns lessons through execution.

These disruptive technologies are now almost certain to power a multi-trillion dollar transition of the energy system away from fossil fuels. Yet investing in them is tricky. How do you invest in startups in an area where prices keep plunging?

I look for investments that have one or more of the following:

1. Network effects or business model innovations that generate high value.

2. The application of software, IoT, and other digital tech to clean energy.

3. Unique, game-changing IP that's hard to compete with.

4. Extremely scalable, capital-efficient business models.

In my role as co-chair of the Energy & Environment program at Singularity University, and through my five books and widely read blog posts on energy technology, I see a great many startups doing innovative things in the cleantech space. It's from that pool that I select potential investments.

Dealflow

I'll syndicate all deals in which I'm able to obtain a significant allocation for my syndicate.

“I've been on the founding team of two startups, and run both marketing and partnerships teams. I tend to be helpful around thinking through marketing or...more acting as a friendly ear to bat around an idea with the founders.”

Ramez has built up worldwide acclaim for amazing books, such as the Nexus Series. He is a brilliant thinker, with an affinity for the future. His expertise in enterprise software, and experience developing systems with Microsoft made him a perfect fit for Imporium.